CARLYLE - The Carlyle Airport has had a storied past and Duncan Brown, who has been a Carlyle Flying Club member since 1978 and is currently the Airport Manager, recently reminisced.
The Carlyle Flying Club is a non-profit corporation which was formed in 1956 when original founders purchased 40 acres of land. Its charter members were Harold Brown, Jack Mills, Ed and Russell Stockton, Jack Marshall, Les Hewitt, Howard Humphries, Vern Clubb, Billy Mills, Alec Dodds and Bill Ramsey.
When Highway 13 was rerouted in 1967, the old runways were abandoned and one was built where it is now. It was initially grass and eventually cold mix asphalt was applied.
In 1984, ownership was transferred over to the Town of Carlyle because the Flying Club couldn’t obtain funding without the town’s involvement. At the time, then-mayor Ted Brady used his political contacts to access funds through Senator Hazen Argue and the runway was rebuilt and paved, at 3,000 feet long and 75 feet wide.
Shortly thereafter, the Flying Club raised enough funds and materials to self-install runway lights. The cost of this major expenditure was funded by the federal government with $100,000, provincial government ($150,000) and the Town of Carlyle ($100,000).
In 2010, the Town of Carlyle did a complete repaving of the entire runway and tarmac, which cost around $600,000. Approximately 50 per cent of the funds were provided through grants, private local businesses and individuals. The remaining 50 per cent was provided for by the Town of Carlyle and surrounding rural municipalities.
In 2014, an automatic weather observation system (AWOS) was installed along with webcams by the Flying Club. Also that year, the runway was extended to its present length of 4,000 feet, and in 2016 the tarmac was enlarged.
This enables both helicopters and smaller jets such as the Cessna Citation to land.
Helicopters often use the Carlyle airport to refuel when returning to and from fighting forest fires. This past weekend, the air ambulance from Saskatoon used the local airport for emergency medical assistance. Interestingly, the air ambulance uses the airport facilities in Carlyle about once a month on average.
Over the past 12 years, it is estimated that over $1 million has been spent on various airport upgrades. Donated equipment, volunteer manpower and materials such as gravel likely amounted to another $500,000 or so in value.
As is often the case, airport improvements are authorized through funding obtained through a partnership with the Town of Carlyle, Carlyle Flying Club and the Provincial Government throughout its Community Airport Partnership (CAP) program.
In 2021, funding from these sources was used to repaint the runway lines and purchase a ceilometer. This instrument is used to judge the cloud base as landings in marginal weather are not permitted if the ceiling is lower than 500 feet. For 2022, the only expenditure planned is to crack fill the runway and tarmac.
The Carlyle Flying Club has 11 hangars and 14 members. Lease fees from their annual rent of these hangars plus profits generated from the sale of aviation gas and jet fuel is reserved for airport improvements and maintenance. It should be noted that due to the financial involvement of many individuals, businesses, and the flying club, the local airport hasn’t been a financial drain to local taxpayers.
The Carlyle Flying Club has an active website called carlyleairport.ca. Its president is Brad Walker, with Brown the airport manager and treasurer. It meets regularly with the Town of Carlyle and the local RM of Moose Mountain to discuss possible upgrades.
“Carlyle has one of the best small-town rural airports and facilities in southern Saskatchewan,” said Brown. “I am very proud to be a member of the Carlyle Flying Club.”
